Official Name

Варна (Varna). Sometimes also written as 'Warna'. Only a few kilometres away, there was an ancient Greek town called Odessos, later on a flourishing Roman town called Marzianopolis. Varna exists since the 6th or 7th century; the present name was used from the beginning.

Location

	Varna

Varna stretches along Varna bay in the north-east of Bulgaria. West of Varna, a long lake fed by Провадийска (Provadiiska) river forms the border of town. Right in the north of Varna starts the Dobruja plateau (see →Dobrich).

Population

Almost 320,000 inhabitants - Varna is the third biggest city of Bulgaria after →Sofia and →Plovdiv.

Orientation

Water in the west and in the east, mountains in the north and in the south - it's the perfect location for a nice town. The centre of town is spacious and features some parks, some historic buildings here and there and nice streets. Varna is 'chic' - here you can find all the expensive shops you will also see in the capital. Furthermore, Varna is an important industrial town and is home to a large port, but these are things you won't notice in the city centre. Additionally, Varna is conveniently located, since there are many interesting places around the town (see also getting there and →surroundings).

History

Probably the oldest remainings of settlements in Europe were excavated at the northern shore of Lake Varna, only a few kilometres away from the city centre. Some of the remainings are more than 6,000 years old. In the 7th or 6th century BC, Greeks from Milet founded a small town and called it Odessos (not to be confused with →Odesa in the Ukraine!). Not far from Odessos, ancient Romans founded another town called Marzianopolis. During the 2th century AD, a large spa with many baths was added. Unfortunately, almost all of it was destroyed by a desastrous earthquake in the 5th century. Still, some remainings are left. During the migration of the peoples in the early medieval age, Goths destroyed both towns.

Slavic tribes used the ruins to built a city called Varna during the 6th and 7th century. The town soon developed into an important trading centre. During the long Ottoman occupation, Varna's importance gradually declined. But after the liberation at the end of the 19th century, it soon became an important place for trade and industry. Nowadays, Varna is a vibrant city especially during the summer months. Therefore it is often regarded as Bulgaria's summer capital.

Getting there / transportation

There's even a direct train running from →Prague all the way to Varna. I guess this train doesn't operate in winter. The train leaves the Czech capital (Prague hl.n.) shortly after midnight and arrives at around 10 am the next day - all in all around 34 hours. There are good train connections to →Ruse, →Stara Zagora, →Plovdiv and →Sofia. However, there's no train to →Burgas in the south. Well, there's one, but the train doesn't run along the seashore, so it takes more than 5 hours to get there (it's 100 km to Burgas). Hence, the bus is much better. Busses are cheap and reliable and run virtually everywhere. All the seaside resorts such as Golden Sands, Albena, Drushba etc north of Varna and Sunny Beach in the south are easily accessible by bus and microbus; it doesn't take much longer than 30 minutes to get there. The fastest way to get to →Romania is via →Dobrich. Varna has an International Airport with many charter flights from all over Europe during the summer months.

The port and the adjacent train station are south of the city centre. From there, simply walk along ул. цар Симеон (Tsar Simeon st.) northwards and you will get to пл. Независимост (pl. Nezavisimost, Independence square) - the central square of Varna. From there, the pedestrian zone Княз Борис (Knyas Boris, Duke Boris St) leads eastwards.

When you walk along this street and turn right into ул. Пушкин (Pushkin street), you will get to a large and ugly concrete structure shortly called ФК (FK, festival and congress centre). Behind that, there's the beautiful Приморски парк (Primorski Park, Sea Park) and further to the north the Dolphinarium and Maritime Museum. Between the park and the port you can see the remainings of the Roman Baths. Next to the ruins stands the beautiful църква Анастазиос (Anastasios Church). Worth mentioning as well is the Museum of History and Art, where, among many other things, the worldwide oldest artificial objects made of copper and gold are on display.

I'm not sure why, but I haven't taken any pictures in Varna. Hence the text-only version.

In the vicinity of Varna, many very touristy beach resorts as well as historic places like →Nesebar and Поморие (Pomorye) in the south and Балчик (Balchik) in the north line up along the Black Sea coast. But there are also some less known sights such as Побити камъни (Pobiti Kamani, stone forest).

	The stone forest near Varna

The stone forest can be found 18 km west of Varna. There are up to 5 metres high and almost 3 metres wide, trunk-shaped stones being scattered all over the place. It is not quite clear how these objects were formed and why they are there. However, similar objects can be found in Germany, Australia and South America as well.

	Aqua Hotel
	Rating: 3 Price: from US$43 Price: from US$4 Room amenities: air conditioning, daily newspaper, hair dryer, ironing board, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, satellite/cable TV >>Check availability

>>Description

Discover all that Varna has to offer with Aqua Hotel as a base. All the modern facilities are available in all of the hotel's 36 rooms. The guestrooms are equipped with air conditioning, daily newspaper, hair dryer, ironing board, television, bathtub. Services and amenities available for guests at this Varna accommodation consist of room service 24hr, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , restaurant. For guests to unwind, the hotel offers a variety of facilities and services including massage, jacuzzi, gym/fitness facilities, sauna, spa. The hotel creates a balance of rich culture and modern convinience to ensure you a memorable stay. To reserve a room at the Aqua Hotel, simply select your dates of stay and fill in our secure online booking form.

	Golden Tulip Varna Hotel
	Rating: 4 Price: from US$67 Price: from US$6 Room amenities: air conditioning, daily newspaper, desk, hair dryer, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, satellite/cable TV, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

Discover all that Varna has to offer with Golden Tulip Varna Hotel as a base. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. All of the guestrooms are replete with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, daily newspaper, desk, hair dryer, television, bathtub. The basic amenities provided at this Varna accommodation comprise room service 24hr, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , restaurant, room service. For a more enjoyable stay, guests can take advantage of a variety of recreational facilities, including massage, jacuzzi, gym/fitness facilities, sauna. The hotel creates a balance of rich culture and modern convinience to ensure you a memorable stay. To proceed with this reservation at the Golden Tulip Varna Hotel, please enter your visit dates and follow our secure online booking form.

	Melia Grand Hermitage Hotel
	Rating: 5 Price: from US$74 Price: from US$7 Room amenities: air conditioning, desk, hair dryer, ironing board, in room safe, shower, separate shower and tub, mini bar, balcony/terrace, satellite/cable TV >>Check availability

>>Description

The Melia Grand Hermitage Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Varna. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. Each of the hotel's guestrooms offers air conditioning, desk, hair dryer, ironing board, in room safe, shower, separate shower and tub, mini bar. Guests can experience the high standards of comfort while staying at this luxury Varna hotel with everything they need right on the site such as elevator, coffee shop, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities . Hotel's guests can experience on-site latest leisure and sports facilities such as massage, pool indoor, pool (kids), gym/fitness facilities, sauna, spa, pool outdoor. With elegant facilities and hospitality, guests at this hotel will surely have an impressive stay. To book a room at the Melia Grand Hermitage Hotel, please select your dates of travel and complete fill out our secure online booking form.

	Chaika Hotel
	Rating: 3 Room amenities: television, bathtub, mini bar, balcony/terrace >>Check availability

>>Description

With its central location, Chaika Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Varna. The Chaika Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. The guestrooms are equipped with television, bathtub, mini bar, balcony/terrace. Guests staying at this Varna accommodation can enjoy a wide range of hotel facilities such as room service 24hr, bar/pub, restaurant, pets allowed. For guests to unwind, the hotel offers a variety of facilities and services including pool outdoor. These top-class facilities are complemented to excellent services to meet the needs of visitors to Varna. To proceed with your booking at the Chaika Hotel, simply choose your travel dates and fill in our secure online booking form.

	Koral Hotel
	Rating: 3 Room amenities: non smoking rooms, air conditioning, in room safe, television, shower, separate shower and tub, mini bar, balcony/terrace, satellite/cable TV >>Check availability

>>Description

The Koral Hotel is located in Varna making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. The Koral Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. In-room facilities include non smoking rooms, air conditioning, in room safe, television, shower. The basic amenities provided at this Varna accommodation comprise elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, nightclub, restaurant, room service. The hotel offers massage, jacuzzi, kids club, gym/fitness facilities, sauna to provide extra pleasure and relaxation for all guests. The hotel provides a warm and welcoming service of international standard. To make a reservation at the Koral Hotel Varna with our secure online booking form, please choose your preffered period of stay.

	Best Western Park Hotel
	Rating: 3 Price: from US$41 Price: from US$4 Room amenities: air conditioning, desk, hair dryer, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, satellite/cable TV, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

The Best Western Park Hotel is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Varna. The Best Western Park Hotel boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. Each guestroom is tastefully appointed with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, desk, hair dryer, television, bathtub, shower. This Varna accommodation features on-site facilities such as room service 24hr, shops, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities . For a more enjoyable stay, guests can take advantage of a variety of recreational facilities, including massage, gym/fitness facilities, spa. Modern comfort and convenience are seamlessly combined to ensure the guests' satisfaction. Being one of the good quality hotels in Varna, guests staying at this hotel will find its convenient location and tranquil atmosphere pleasurable. To book a room at the Best Western Park Hotel, please select your dates of travel and complete fill out our secure online booking form.

	Grand Hotel Musala Palace
	Rating: 5 Price: from US$117 Price: from US$1 Room amenities: air conditioning, bathrobes, desk, hair dryer, in room safe, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

The Grand Hotel Musala Palace is perfectly located for both business and leisure guests to Varna. The Grand Hotel Musala Palace boasts a convenient location with modern amenities in every guestroom and superb service. The guestrooms are equipped with non smoking rooms, air conditioning, bathrobes, desk, hair dryer, in room safe, television. The basic amenities provided at this Varna accommodation comprise room service 24hr, executive floor, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning. For guests to unwind, the hotel offers a variety of facilities and services including massage, jacuzzi, gym/fitness facilities, sauna, spa. The hotel provides a warm and welcoming service of international standard. To make a reservation at the Grand Hotel Musala Palace Varna with our secure online booking form, please choose your preffered period of stay.

	Splendid Hotel
	Rating: 4 Price: from US$44 Price: from US$4 Room amenities: air conditioning, bathrobes, desk, hair dryer, ironing board, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, satellite/cable TV, coffee/tea maker, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

The Splendid Hotel is located in Varna making it one of the best hotels to stay at while in town. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. Room amenities include non smoking rooms, air conditioning, bathrobes, desk, hair dryer. Guests can experience the high standards of comfort while staying at this luxury Varna hotel with everything they need right on the site such as room service 24hr, shops, executive floor, elevator, bar/pub. Being one of the good quality hotels in Varna, guests staying at this hotel will find its convenient location and tranquil atmosphere pleasurable. To proceed with your booking at the Splendid Hotel, simply choose your travel dates and fill in our secure online booking form.

	Odessos Hotel
	Rating: 3 Room amenities: air conditioning, hair dryer, in room safe, mini bar, kitchenette, balcony/terrace, satellite/cable TV >>Check availability

>>Description

Discover all that Varna has to offer with Odessos Hotel as a base. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. The guestrooms are equipped with air conditioning, hair dryer, in room safe, mini bar, kitchenette, balcony/terrace. The amenities and services offered at this Varna accommodation include bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , nightclub, restaurant. For guests to unwind, the hotel offers a variety of facilities and services including massage, pool indoor, pool (kids), jacuzzi, kids club, gym/fitness facilities, sauna, steamroom. These top-class facilities are complemented to excellent services to meet the needs of visitors to Varna. To make your reservation at the Odessos Hotel via our secure online booking form, please submit your visit dates.

	Panorama Hotel
	Rating: 4 Price: from US$26 Price: from US$2 Room amenities: air conditioning, daily newspaper, desk, hair dryer, television, bathtub, shower, mini bar, satellite/cable TV, non smoking rooms >>Check availability

>>Description

With its central location, Panorama Hotel is within easy reach of most tourist attractions and business addresses in Varna. All hotel's guestrooms have all the conveniences expected in a hotel in its class to suit guests' utmost comforts. Each of the hotel's guestrooms offers non smoking rooms, air conditioning, daily newspaper, desk, hair dryer, television, bathtub. The amenities and services offered at this Varna accommodation include room service 24hr, elevator, bar/pub, laundry service/dry cleaning, meeting facilities , restaurant. To unwind, guests can enjoy the leisure facilities provided on the hotel's property, including massage, gym/fitness facilities, sauna. Being one of the good quality hotels in Varna, guests staying at this hotel will find its convenient location and tranquil atmosphere pleasurable. To proceed with this reservation at the Panorama Hotel, please enter your visit dates and follow our secure online booking form.

There's definitely no lack of accommodation in Varna and along the coast. I didn't stay in Varna but moved on to a small town, and so I cannot recommend a special place to stay in Varna.

• www.bulgaria.com/varna English website with some images of Varna.
• www.varna.bg/eng Official website of Varna in Bulgarian and English. With plenty of information about the city.
• www.goldensands.bg Some information about the resorts lining up along Golden Sands.

Do you have or do you know a good website about Varna? Don't hesitate, let me know! After checking it, I would love to add it to the link list. You can submit a link by using the →contact form. Note that commercial websites will be treated differently.